In this exchange program, you will enroll directly in classes at Uppsala University. The program is ideal if you are interested in an intensive study format in many fields of the humanities, natural and social sciences, and business. Uppsala University offers more than 700 courses that are taught in English to incoming exchange students. Uppsala University is a highly ranked, rigorous research university with excellent laboratories and institutes. Uppsala offers several unique areas of study during the academic year, including Baltic regional studies, Holocaust/genocide studies, education, astronomy and space physics, information technology, radiation sciences, theoretical physics, economic history, Eurasian studies, and international conflict studies.
“Nations” dominate student life at Uppsala. A student “nation” is like a private student union mixed with a co-ed fraternity: each nation has its own building which houses a library, a pub, a coffee shop, and often a ballroom. Members are given discounted prices at the pubs and at special nation events. Each nation has its own distinct culture and traditions, so there is something for everyone. For example, some nations are known to be business-oriented, or vegetarian-friendly, or have a strong LGBTQ culture.
The Student Health Center at Uppsala has a team of specialists: psychologists, counsellors and therapists, all focused on student related health issues. Uppsala has four coordinators who work with special pedagogical support for students with disabilities. The Language Workshop is free of charge and available to all students on the undergraduate and Master’s levels. Uppsala offers consultations about written and oral presentations on an individual basis in both Swedish and English. At Uppsala University, there is zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment, and victimization.
Uppsala is the fourth largest city in Sweden, only an hour train ride from Sweden's capital, Stockholm; the Baltic Coast and Lake Mälaren are even closer. Uppsala has a blend of the more intimate atmosphere of a smaller town and the vibrancy of a larger city. It's an ideal location for study abroad, as students find it easy to integrate into the local culture.
Most weekends in Uppsala find the city crawling with students pub hopping, going to nation clubs or attending gasques. Gasques are large formal dinner parties followed by dancing and other festivities. Nations hold gasques to celebrate their traditional food and cultural activities.
An important part of Swedish everyday life is “fika” which is a lengthy, informal, social coffee break. Although baffling for some Americans, Swedish students literally spend hours each day in coffee shops with friends, eating and drinking and chatting.